English

Noun

Synonyms

The gemsbok or gemsbuck (Oryx gazella) is a large
African
antelope, of the
Oryx genus.
The name is derived from the Dutch name
of the male chamois,
Gemsbok. Although there are some superficial similarities in
appearance (especially in the colour of the face area), the chamois
and the oryx are not related.

Gemsbok live in herds of about 10-40 animals,
which consist of a dominant male, a few non-dominant males, and
females. They often live in association with zebras, gazelles or other antelopes. The
female's horns may
be curved but the male's are thicker and parallel. Male gemsbok
have been known to gore attacking lions with their horns.

There are two types of gemsbok: a northern and
southern variety. The northern gemsboks have black-fringed ears while the southern ones have
longer horns and more rounded ears.

In 1969 the New Mexico
State Department of Game and Fish decided to introduce Gemsbok to
the Tularosa
Basin in the United
States. The introduction was a compromise between those who
wanted to preserve nature and those who wanted to use it for profit
and promotion. 93 were released from 1969 to 1977. The current
population is estimated to be 3000.